A narrative review of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of men and boys in Nigeria: The paradox of a patriarchal and conservative society

In typical patriarchal societies like Nigeria, where men’s dominance over women in sexual relations is common, sexually exploited cis-males may appear rare. However, structural violence, characterised by ungoverned spaces and severe economic deprivation, can lead to non-normative sexual behaviours driven by survival or coercion. Nigeria’s anti-sex trafficking policies and programmes rarely recognise sex-trafficked cis-men and cis-boys. Through 10 articles documenting sex trafficking–related concerns affecting cis-males, this review uncovers some empirical evidence and a lack of interventions addressing the issue. It is a crucial initial step towards understanding and discussing this underexplored area of sex trafficking within culturally conservative environments.